Do you ever think you're a failure? Do you feel anxious and doubt your abilities? Do you over-prepare or not ask for help because you're worried you should already know the answer?

Don't worry - you're not alone!  

In this Study Matters episode, Toni Karic joins Aimee Merrydew to share some of the reasons why imposter syndrome is so common among students and what can be done to manage these thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to support wellbeing and succeed at university.

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

1. What we mean by 'imposter syndrome' and why managing it matters for our learning;
2. Common issues and how to overcome them;
3. Practical tips for students and how to embed them into teaching as educators.

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studyguides/

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 4: Managing Imposter Syndrome

What does reflective writing mean? Why do I keep being told my reflections aren't reflective enough? How do I write reflectively for my studies?

In this episode, Will Foster joins Aimee Merrydew to chat about reflective writing.

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

1. What we mean by 'reflective writing' and why it matters for our learning.
2. Common issues and how to overcome them.
3. Practical tips for students and how to embed them into teaching as educators.

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studyguides/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: https://forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 5: Writing Reflectively

What are literature reviews? Why are they important for my research? How on earth can I write one for my project?

In this episode, Rachael Lewis comes to the rescue and chats with Aimee Merrydew about how we can conduct literature reviews effectively and efficiently 🙌

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

1. What we mean by 'literature review' and why this academic skill matters for learning. 

2. Common issues people encounter when performing literature reviews and how to overcome them.

3. Practical tips for students and how to embed them into teaching as educators.

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studymatters/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 6: Conducting Literature Reviews

What do we mean by ‘theory’? Why is it useful to engage with theory in academic work? How can we use theory to help us build our ideas? 🤔

In this episode, Amy Blaney chats with Aimee Merrydew (host) about all things theory and why it’s often misunderstood as an angry bull… 

Spoiler alert: it’s not an angry bull and this episode provides pathways to help us access and navigate theory without encountering any angry bulls along the way (we hope) 🙌

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

1. What we mean by 'theory' and why it matters for learning and academic development.

2. Common issues students encounter when reading theoretical texts and engaging with them in their work.

3. Practical tips for students on engaging with theory and how to embed the techniques into teaching and the curriculum as educators.

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studymatters/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 7: Engaging with Theory

What are academic conferences and why is it worth presenting at them as an undergraduate student? How can students prepare to present their research? And what can educators do to help students develop their presentation skills so they not only communicate their research effectively but also have fun in the process? 🤔

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with Dr Chris Little to share the ins and outs of academic conferences.

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

💡 What we mean by ‘academic conferences’ and why they matter for undergraduate students’ academic and professional development.

🚧 Common issues and barriers students encounter when presenting their research at conferences.

✨ Practical tips for students on managing presentation nerves and preparing to present their research confidently... Enter trusty clicky pens (among other tried-and-tested techniques) 🖋️

🔃 Examples of how educators can embed abstract writing and presentation opportunities into the curriculum through assessment design, helping students to practise their public speaking skills and create outward-facing research outputs they can re-use in different contexts (including conferences and publications).

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/…ills/studyguides/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 8: Presenting at Academic Conferences

What do we mean by 'gamifying' libraries and why are games useful learning tools for students? How can students build their information, academic, and professional skills through game-based learning activities such as library escape rooms? And what can educators do to inject fun into information literacy training within their curricula (spoiler alert: we recommend escape rooms)? 🤔

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with librarian and game master Scott Chesworth to share the ins and outs of library escape rooms.

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

💡 What we mean by ‘gamification’ in libraries and why games matter for students’ academic development.

🚧 Common issues students encounter when using libraries and searching for sources for their studies.

✨ Practical tips for students on using game-based learning to build their information and wider academic literacies.

🔃 Examples of how educators can embed games into the curriculum through escape rooms, helping students to use libraries effectively for their studies without sacrificing fun.

1. Digital Library Escape Room Guide ("The Guide"): https://cutt.ly/escapeguide

2. Bitesized digital Library Escape Room ("Carrot or Stick?"): https://cutt.ly/carrotorstick

3. Escape Room article ("Escape [to] the Library: Reframing the Library Induction"): https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/6250/

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studymatters/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Episode 9: Building Information Literacies through Library Escape Rooms

What is experiential learning and why is it beneficial for academic studies AND employability? How can you get involved in experiential learning during your time at university? And what can educators do to help students make the most of these opportunities to enhance their learning outcomes and boost their employability? 🤔

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with Alice Whitehouse to share the ins and outs of experiential learning.

Whether you're a student or educator, this episode will help you to understand:

💡 What we mean by ‘experiential learning’ and why it matters for students’ academic and professional development.

🚧 Common issues and barriers students encounter when pursuing and engaging in experiential learning opportunities.

✨ Practical tips for students on finding placements or internships and how to make the most of these opportunities to apply their university learning to the world of work... The trick? Be a sponge! 

🔃 Examples of how educators can support students to engage in experiential learning.

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: https://www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/academicskills/studymatters/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 10: Engaging in Experiential Learning

Why is academic writing important? ✍️

What common issues do people tend to experience when writing their university assignments? 🤔

How can you learn to write more confidently and effectively? 🤩

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with transformational writing coach Dr Malini Devadas to share the ins and outs of academic writing.

By the end of this episode, you should be able to:

💡 Identify why academic writing matters for your studies and success at university.

🚧 Understand some of the common struggles people encounter when it comes to academic writing.

✨ Apply practical strategies to help you become a confident and effective communicator through your writing.

Discover more about our guest, Dr Malini Devadas, and how she can help you to become a productive writer here: https://mdwritingediting.com.au/

The transcript and resources for this episode can be accessed via our website: www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/…ills/studyguides/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @Keele_AS to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 11: Improving your Academic Writing Skills

Why should you consider making your own podcasts to support your learning and communicate your knowledge in your assessments? 🎙️

What common issues do people tend to experience when producing podcasts? 🤔

How can you learn to present your knowledge in creative ways through podcast formats? 🤩

In this episode, Aimee Merrydew explores these questions with Rebekka Jolley to share the ins and outs of student generated podcasts.

By the end of this episode, you should be able to:

💡 Identify why podcasts matter for your academic, personal, and professional development.

🚧 Understand some of the common struggles people encounter when it comes to podcast assessments and podcast production more generally.

✨ Apply practical strategies to help you communicate your knowledge to general audiences through podcasting, supporting your success at and beyond university.

Discover more about our guest, Rebekka Jolley, and how podcasts can support your learning here: https://openpress.sussex.ac.uk/ideasforactivelearning/chapter/active-learning-student-generated-podcasts/ 

The transcript and resources for our episodes can be accessed via our website: www.keele.ac.uk/library/training/…ills/studyguides/

Got an idea for an episode or want to be a guest on the podcast? 
We'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with us here: forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Follow us on Twitter @KeeleLibrary to keep up-to-date with Study Matters news and opportunities to get involved.

Thanks for listening to Study Matters!

Episode 12: Producing Podcasts for Learning and Assessments

Are you a student and want to learn how to improve your academic skills, learn more effectively, and succeed in your studies? 

Are you an educator and looking for academic skills resources to share with students to help them reach their full potential? 

We've got you covered 🙌 

Study Matters is a practical podcast about academic skills and why they matter for student success in higher education.

Each episode, Aimee Merrydew interviews an educator about an area of academic practice in which students typically struggle, from reading to writing and all things in-between. 

🪄 Whatever the topic, our goal is to address common academic challenges by sharing strategies that help you to develop your academic skills, build confidence, and find joy in your learning at university.

Study Matters is brought to you by Aimee Merrydew in the Campus Library at Keele University.

Got any questions or ideas for future episodes? 

Get in touch using the short form below 👇

https://forms.office.com/r/Yqx0JPa2Hw

Episode 11: Improving your Academic Writing Skills

Study Matters Podcast

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